Principles

of

Design

Principles of

Design

• Proportion & Scale

• Balance

• Emphasis

• Rhythm

• Harmony

• RULES

• The principles of

design are the rules

that govern how we

use each of the

elements of design in

any given art work.

Proportion

/Scale

Flattering the

figure

• Scale: Relates to the

absolute size of an

object or space

compared to other

things.

• Proportion: How

the lines/shapes

divide the space,

garment into parts.

Compared to the

whole.

• Proportion = Ratio’s

Proportion=

ratios

• Any fashion can be divided into parts and compared, which creates a ratio.

• Draw visual lines across the design to begin.

• Where there is a line, color, texture or shape change begin the first part of your ratio.

• The second part of the ratio is the remaining part of the outfit.

1

1

3

2

1 to 3

ratio

1

2

3

4

Balancein Fashion

Balance

• The parts of a design are arranged so they achieve

a feeling of rest and equilibrium

• Refers to how lines, shapes, colors, textures, and

patterns are used to break up an area or space into

parts.

• You can manipulate the elements of design to

increase or decrease apparent visual weight.

Two types of

balance

• Within balance there are two main methods

to create equilibrium

– Symmetrical Balance

– Asymmetrical Balance

Symmetrical

Balance

• Both sides are EXACTLY the same, a

mirror image of each other.

• This type of balance gives a very solid and

professional look.

• Symmetrical balance is referred to as

formal balance.

Symmetrical

Examples

Asymmetrical

Balance

• The design is balanced, but each side is

different in some way.

• This type of balance tends to draw attention

to a particular area.

• Asymmetrical is referred to as informal

balance.

Asymmetrical

Examples

Emphasis

in

Fashion

emphasis

• A dominant focal point or center of interest in a

garment or an outfit created by the use of line,

shape, color, texture, and/or pattern.

• A point for the eye to rest on for a period of time.

• An outfit without a dominant point of interest

appears uninteresting, boring, and unfinished.

Too much

emphasis

• Two or more dominant areas or points of emphasis, are distracting and confusing… the eye becomes overly stimulated and the effect is spotty and displeasing.

• Other points of interest may be present… but they must be less obvious in their claim for attention. The eye notices them, does not rest there, but returns to the dominant point.

Examples of

emphasis

The

Rhythmof Fashion

Rhythm

• Refers to how attention is led around the garment or the outfit.

• Rhythm is achieved when the lines, shapes, colors, textures, or patterns in clothing and accessories are arranged to lead the viewer’s eye easily from one part of the garment to another.

Rhythm by

gradation

• Gradual change in

lines, shapes, color

values or textures

within the design

• The degree of change

must be SMALL or a

jumpy, choppy effect

will result.

Rhythm by

opposition

• Alternation of two or more

lines, shapes, colors,

textures, or patterns. Causes

contrast or opposing details

in a design.

• Examples: yellow then blue

stripes in a shirt, beads used

against feathers, sheer then

opaque fabric used.

Rhythm by

Repetition

• Repetition of line,

shape, color, texture, or

pattern within the design

• Examples: row of

buttons, trim on collar

and cuffs, the same

color used several times.

Rhythm by

radiation

• Of lines, shapes, colors, or textural folds

inward or outward from a central point or

area.

Rhythm by

transition

• Continuous line movement

created by a line of shapes,

colors, or textural trims.

• Examples: princess

seamlines, contrasting piping

around the collar and down

the center front to the

hemline

• Gradation

• Opposition

• Radiation

• Repetition

• Transition

Harmony

in

Fashion

Harmony

• Harmony is created by the following the principles (rules)

of design when using the elements (tools).

• Harmony is pleasing when it has unity and variety.

Unity

Repeats one or more of

the elements of

design to tie the

outfit together.

Variety

Uses multiple elements

of design to add

interest and

excitement to the

outfit.